Headlamp with improved ventilating means, especially for a motor vehicle

Abstract

A motor vehicle headlamp comprises a housing, having a cover glass defining, with the casing, an internal space of the headlamp in which the light source is mounted. The headlamp includes ventilating means for ventilating the internal space, this being associated with the housing. The ventilating means comprises two projecting portions of the housing, one projecting outwardly and one inwardly. Each projecting portion is closed at its free end by a cap. The outward projecting portion and its cap together define a first duct and a second duct, communicating with each other through a bend, while the inward projecting portion similarly defines a third duct and a fourth duct, again communicating with each other through a bend. The first and third ducts also communicate with each other, and the second and fourth ducts are open, respectively, downwardly to atmosphere and upwardly into the internal space of the headlamp.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A vehicle headlamp comprising a housing defining a front of the housing, a cover glass covering the front of the housing and defining, with the housing, an internal space which is essentially closed, and a light source disposed in the said space, the headlamp further comprising ventilating means, for ventilating the said internal space, and comprising: a first portion of the housing projecting outside the housing and having a free end; a first cap mounted on the free end of the said first projecting portion and defining with the latter a first duct, a second duct, and a bend, which is disposed in the region of the said free end and which brings the said first and second ducts into communication with each other; a second portion of the housing projecting into the housing and having a free end; and a second cap mounted on the said free end of the second projecting portion and defining with the latter a third duct, a fourth duct, and a second bend which is located close to the said free end of the second projecting portion, and which brings the third and fourth duct into communication with each other, the said first and third ducts being in communication with each other, and the second duct being open essentially downwards to atmosphere, with the fourth duct being open essentially upwards into the said internal space. 
     
     
       2. A headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the said housing has a wall defining an aperture through it, the said projecting portions being joined to the said wall and so positioned that the said first and third ducts are essentially aligned and communicate with each other through the said aperture. 
     
     
       3. A headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the said first projecting portion has a lower region defining a slot extending longitudinally in the said lower region, with the said second duct communicating with atmosphere through the said slot. 
     
     
       4. A headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the said second projecting portion has an upper region defining a further slot extending longitudinally in the said upper region, with the fourth duct communicating with the said internal space through the said further slot. 
     
     
       5. A headlamp according to claim 1, further including a partition wall disposed inside each said projecting portion and separating the said ducts within that projecting portion, with each partition wall extending to a terminal end thereof spaced away from the corresponding cap. 
     
     
       6. A headlamp according to claim 5, wherein each cap has a collar portion, with each said collar portion and the partition wall of the associated said projecting portion together defining between them, at least partially, the said second and fourth ducts respectively. 
     
     
       7. A headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the two caps are substantially identical. 
     
     
       8. A headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the said first and second projecting portions are out of alignment with each other, the said second projecting portion being at a higher level than the first.